Etruscan / probably 400–375 BCE
Vessel Ornament of Banqueter Holding an Omphalos
The Cleveland Museum of Art catalogs Vessel Ornament of Banqueter Holding an Omphalos as sculpture (Etruscan · probably 400–375 BCE).
Though primarily associated with dedicatory libations, the phiale mesomphalos could also be used for drinking.
A CLOSER LOOK
The museum identifies this sculpture as bronze.
The museum's collection notes: This bronze banqueter figurine was one of six once adorning the rim of a large basin, now lost. Cast in molds with individualized details, most have grooves on their underside to attach to the basin. Minute traces of gilding remain on areas of clothing and skin (mostly visible only under magnification), suggesting that they may have been completely gilded. Two handles in the form of hippocampi, horses with serpentine tails, also belonged to the basin and are now displayed at the Michael C. Carlos Museum at Emory University. The basin may have been used to hold liquid for a banquet, or was perhaps funerary. This bronze figurine holds a phiale
FOLLOW THE EVIDENCE
The Cleveland Museum of ArtVessel Ornament of Banqueter Holding an OmphalosOriginal explanation based on the sources above. Images carry their own reuse terms.